Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-12-30

and woman altogether of so strong a
grasp of mind that many people wond-
cred how it had come about that her
spiritual belief was so lamentably
wrong.
She went in for everyth 'ng in the wo-
mans rights way-in spite of her not
being herself mans left;" she made
speeches AT elections in favor Of Liberal
candidates. very fair speeches. too, for
woman. who as rule cannot be said
to shine in that branch of display. She
went heart and soul into certain social
questions which most men would rather
have their wives leave alone. She read
every book of note that came out not
meaning novels. Then, too. she dressed
herself Ike an old picture, and her col
lection Of antique v,olins and pots was
something absolutely wonderful. OF
the pair she had the stronger mind.
Eustace Vane repeated all his wife :
remarks and theories with good deal
of "haw. haw." which gave them the
air of being his own. He looked hand
some, and that was about all
For five years this state of things hsd
continued. There were mpe-m ndei
folk N the ne ghborhood who wonder
ed with a look askance, why the Al
mighty did not send judgment "o"n
upon them, crushing Vanedene anu Us
occupants at one blow; forgetting that
the day of miracles is over ana that
God moves in n mysterious way Ana
there were other simple folk to whom
troubles come thick sOd fast, who felt
themselves aggrieved that life went so
smoothly for the O"ners of Vsnedene.
What as the good. they asked of being
faithful and beieving. If the green bay
tree-was pemitted to flourish under
their very eyes? 1t is enough to dis
! hearten ahJ-one.
But s<er awhile there came change!
1t crepl upon that portion of the world
wbics called the Vanes friends very
ersSually. Mrs. Vane's name was
withdrawn from prominence in sever
al of the societies 10 which she acted as
president secretary. one Of the execu-
tive comm ittee, and the like, and
she sank to the comparative obscurity
Of subscrib ng member only. She
did not at present feel equal to tho du-
ties she explained.
People wondered . little, and at
length the real meaning oozed out
There was at last prospect Of an heir
coming TO the Red House. Then peo-
pie wondered no longer. but most OF
them laughed instead. and asked one
another what manner OF child it would
be-
II should think" one lady laughed.
il "will be born with a full allowance
of teeth and be able TO play half doze n
instruments and speak several Ian
guages fluently."
But it wasn't. Ii came into the
world and squalled just like anv 9th
er baby. 1t gurgled over its food anC
crumpled up its pink dimplei hands
just like any other. 1t was very
pretty child, aven at that early stage o.
its career. with big blue eyes and sof
/ silken hair as smooth as silk. Eustac'
/ Vane went and stood beside his wife
bed with his hands in his pockets. re
gard ng them both through his eye
glass. finally telling her that they made
as charming a picture, by Jove as hi
ever remembered to have seen, Their
he bent down and kissed her, touching
the child with his lips. rs II it were al
sfterthought And after that no wen
down to his club and announced, whei
he was congratulated. that his small
son was a very queer little beggar,
very queer little beggar indeed.
Strangely enough, neither he no
had come over his wife She no
recover very fast and tho affair ha
pulled her down far more than an.
one would have thought possible for
woman who could tramp her 20 mile
dav and be fairly fresh at the end O
it. For many days she lay in her BET
or on her sofa strangely silent, rest NJ
her cheek against the childs blond
head From her window she could Sc
tho old church and the churchyar
where her father slept. the churcI
where. in the days of her childhood
she had prayed. and sung Sunday afte
Sunday, as she never did now. Sh
could see the pure white cross which
marked her fathers resting-place, on,
she knew by heart the words:
His works do follow him."
Eight Years he had been dead; SIN,
had not thought so much Of him in al
those eight years as she had done since
: her baby came, How proud he would
! ave been to see his grandson-hov
delighted To have added another to the
ong Est of vanes in the baptisma
1 egister.